Skelmersdale United's youngsters come out with all guns blazing

Sep 25 2008 by Philip Kirkbride, Skelmersdale Advertiser

Youngsters come out with all guns blazing

SKELMERSDALE United are facing another injury crisis ahead of the trip to Chorley on Saturday - but manager Tommy Lawson is not worried.

The Skem boss remains in buoyant mood in the build-up the to UniBond First Division league match, despite six players ruled out at the weekend.

Lawson saw a clutch of youngsters step into the shoes of their senior counterparts in the consecutive wins over Ossett Albion and then Kidsgrove Athletic in the UniBond League Presidents Cup, putting in “fantastic” performances.”

With established first team players such as Michael White, Adam Birchall, Phil Holland, Chris Almond, Steve Akrigg and Lee Kelly out, the United manager will call upon his budding stars once again.

Lawson said: “It has been another fantastic week, especially going into last Saturday’s game with Ossett, who were top of the league, without six first choice players.

“We shuffled the pack and the effort from the lads was fantastic - we won well but it could have been even more substantial.

“Tuesday night against Kidsgrove was great and the young side we had out with Mooney, Morton, Wilkey, Walker and Pringle, did really well. These lads don’t necessarily get an awful lot of opportunities so we put them in to see how they reacted in a UniBond environment. I am really pleased with how they came through it and shows that they have a future in non-league football - if they continue to work hard.”

As well as the growing stature of Skem’s youth set up, Lawson is delighted with the increasing number of supporters flocking to the Skem and Ormskirk College Stadium each week.

Attendances are increasing and Lawson believes the added fan power is giving his team a boost.

He added: “We got 300 people here on Saturday and the gates are creeping up. There is a lot more vocal support and you can definitely detect the noise levels going up - it really goes onto the pitch with the players.”

To add to Skem’s list of absentees, Michael Duffy is suspended this weekend.